Dracaena deremensis named Kerry

ABSTRACT

A new Dracaena deremensis cultivar named Kerry having intense dark green foliage color, wide and thick leaves, strong growth habit, and quick rooting.

The present invention comprises a new and distinctive cultivar ofDracaena plant, botanically known as Dracaena deremensis, and known bythe cultivar name Kerry.

The new cultivar Kerry is a sport of the Dracaena deremensis cultivarknown by the varietal name Jumbo. In turn, Jumbo is a sport of thewell-known Dracaena cultivar Warneckei, a variegated gray-greencultivar.

Applicant discovered the new cultivar growing in a cultivated area inBarranquitas, Puerto Rico, in the summer of 1985. The new cultivar wasgrowing in an outdoor field with plants of the parent cultivar Jumbo,and was distinguishable from Jumbo by its wider leaves, solid dark greenleaf color, and by its significantly thicker leaves. The new cultivarKerry also seemed to display a stronger growth habit.

After observing the growth of the newly discovered sport for some time,during which it reached a height of approximately five (5) feet and itsunique characteristics were continually made evident, tip cuttings weretaken under my direction and supervision in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico,in the fall of 1986. The observed growth of these cuttings hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as disclosed hereinfor Kerry are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction. Kerry has not been observed underall possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary withvariations in environment such as temperature, light intensity,daylength, and the like. The following observations, measurements andcomparisons describe plants grown in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, inoutdoor field conditions.

The following characteristics have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be basic characteristics of Kerry, which in combinationdistinguish this new Dracaena as a new and distinct cultivar:

(1) The leaves are a much darker and more intense green than the leafcolor of the parent cultivar Jumbo, which is variegated, with the whitepigmentation creating a gray-green emerald color.

(2) The leaf is substantially wider than the leaves of the parentcultivar Jumbo, being as wide as 3.5 inches at its widest point.

(3) The thickness of the leaves is greater than the thickness of any ofthe cultivars above referred to, including the parent. Although nomicrometer comparisons have been made, the increased thickness of theleaf of Kerry is immediately recognizable by feel, and gives the leaf amore leather-like appearance and feel.

(4) The stem of the plant is relatively large and strong, and gives theplant excellent strength and rigidity.

(5) Based on propagation to date, the ease of propagation has been verygood, with the rootings being heavy and developing very quickly.

Although Kerry is a sport of Jumbo, the closest comparison cultivar isJanet Craig. In comparison to Janet Craig, the leaves of Kerry arethicker, wider, and darker green in color, and the stem is substantiallylarger. In addition, Kerry is a much stronger grower thanJanet Craig.The leaf color of Kerry is also darker than the leaves of Janet CraigCompacta, a sport of Janet Craig having somewhat deeper green leavesthan its parent. The leaf form of Janet Craig Compacta also varies fromthe leaf form of Kerry.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical foliage and growthcharacteristics of the new cultivar. The photograph appearing at the topof the sheet is a perspective top view showing the new cultivar grown ina 4-inch pot. The photograph appearing at the bottom of the sheet is anenlarged perspective view of the upper portion of the plant illustratedin the top photograph.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were takendirectly from a plant of Kerry under a combination of natural andfluorescent light at approximately mid-day in Alexandria, Va. in August.The plant described and illustrated in the photographs is approximately3-4 months old.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dracaena deremensis cv. Kerry.

Commercial.--Dracaena.

Propagation: By tip cuttings which root quickly and easily.

Plant: Herbaceous.

Form.--Straight and erect. The leaves are regularly spaced and retain asubstantial horizontal bent, thereby creating a full, symmetricalappearance; very strong grower.

Size.--Fully mature plants (4-5 years) will reach heights of twelve (12)feet or more if allowed to freely grow. Kerry possesses a strong growthhabit, and growth rate is somewhat above average. The plants shown inthe photographs are approximately 3-4 months old, although the strongand erect growth habits are clearly evident.

Leaves.--Size: Mature leaves are 20-22" in length and typically 3.25 to3.5" in width at their widest point, which is normally 6-8" from end ofleaf. Shape: Generally lanceolate, although leaf is widest more closelyadjacent the tip than the base; tip is acute, with last 3-4" of tipnarrowing gradually to a point; center leaves are very erect, witherectness diminishing toward base; intermediate leaves have morehorizontal orientation with the tips extending downwardly, and thebottom leaves are arched and reversed. The margins of the leaves areslightly wavy, and the edges of the leaves are smooth. Texture: Theleaves have a leathery feel primarily because of their thickness. Theleaves are very noticeably thicker than the leaves of both Janet Craigand Jumbo. Striations are recognizable on under surface which extendgenerally parallel to midrib; striations only barely visible on uppersurface. Color: Upper surface: 139A (By contrast, the color of the uppersurface of the leaves of Janet Craig is approximately 137A-B, and Jumbo,being variegated, is a much lighter gray-green.) The color of Kerry is auniform intense dark green (139A), with no variegation. Under surface:137A-B, midrib slightly lighter.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena named Kerry, asillustrated and described, and parts thereof.